VAt on e-books up for debate this Thursday

The harmonisation of VAT across print and digital books could move a step closer this week with the European Council to debate the level of VAT imposed on e-books this Thursday (24th October).

The Bookseller reports that “according to the TMF Group, the Polish presidency has proposed harmonising the amount of VAT charged on e-books in a “downwards” direction. Currently, an EU directive dictates that European countries impose the upper rate of VAT on e-books, but France charges their lower rate of 5.5% and Luxembourg, where Amazon, Kobo and Nook have their European headquarters, charge just 3%. In the vast majority of European countries print books are VAT free, as in the UK, or the lower rate is charged.” Read the full article here.